Abrading apparatus



June 1, 1943. w. L. KEEFER ABRADING APPARATUS Filed March 19, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Waite] 1 Keg/fer.

June 1, 1943. w. 1.. KEEFER ABRADING APPARATUS Filed March 19, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 1, 1943. w. L. KEEFER ABRADING APPARATUS Filed March 19, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 W. L. KEEFER ABRADING June 1, 1943.

APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 19, 1940 4.1.x UT

Walter L.

E g My 1/3 Patented June 1, 1943 ABRADING APPARATUS Walter L. Keefer, Hagerstown, Md., assignor to Pangborn Corporation, Hagerstown, Md., a corporation of Maryland Application March 19, 1940, Serial No. 324,860

18 Claims. (01. 51-9) and life thereof as compared to prior blades being increased.

Still a further object of my invention is the provision of a novel deflector embodying reinforcing means and heat dissipating means of more eflicient character, means to return abrasive deflected by the inner ends of the blades to the propelling surfaces of the blades, and means to prevent peeling of the deflector as well as to indicate when its life has ended.

Still a further object is to provide novel locating means for the deflector whereby the deflector can be readily centered with respect to the assembly, and its maintenance in that position assured.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the specification in connection with the annexed drawings, wherein Figure l is a longitudinal section of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view of the embodiment of Figure 1 as viewed from the left of that flgure, a

portion of the housing being removed and a portion being shown in outline to show the interior of the unit.

Figure 3 is an elevation of the so-called deflector of the present invention, the deflector being viewed from the left in Figure 1.

Figure '4 is a side elevation of the deflector assembly of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an elevation of the deflector as viewd from the right in Figure 1. v

Figure 6 is a development of the blade of the deflector of Figures 3 to 5, inclusive.

'Figure '7 is an elevation of the abrasive receiving cup of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 when viewed from the left of that figure.

Figure 7A is a section taken on the line A-A of Figure '1.

Figure 8 is a section .on the line 8-4 of the cup of Figure '1.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the guard of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a plan of the guard of Figure-9.

Figure 11 is a section of the guard of Figure 9 takenon the line ll-ll of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a side elevation of one of the abrasive propelling blades or vanes of Figure 1.

Figure 13 is a section taken on the line l3- l3 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is an end elevation of the blade of Figure 12, this figure additionally showing a portion of the disc rotor including the solt in which the base of the blade is positioned.

Figure 15 is a section taken on the line l5l5 of Figure 13.

Figure 16 is a front elevation of the rotor disc or runner of Figure 1.

Figure 1'7 is a section taken on the line I'l-II of Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a plan of a portion of the rotor of Figure 16 illustrating one of the dovetail slots that are cast therein to receive an abrasive propelling blade.

Figure 19 is a section taken on of Figure 16.

Figure 20 is an end elevation of one of the pins employed to secure the abrasive propelling blades to the rotor disc.

Figure 21 is a side elevation of the pin of Figure 20.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of the invention shown herein for the purpose of disclosure comprises a shaft ll arranged to be driven by suitable means, not shown. Shaft II is provided with a hub portion l2, preferably pressed on and keyed thereto, to which is secured a rotor disc or runner l3, preferably by hollow head screws as shown at ll. Disc I3 is preferably cast in one piece and in a manner to form a series of slots i5 extendi outwardly from the region of the axis of the disc l3 (shown in detail in Figure 18) into which slots l5 blades it are fitted. Blades ii are locked to disc l3 by pins l'l in a manner to be described in detail. An abrasive receiving cup I8 is secured to hub i2 by a special screw l9 having a conical head 2| for a purpose to be later described. With this arrangement, hub l2, disc l3, blades l6, and abrasive receiving cup l8 rotate as a, unit with shaft ll, these elements constituting the only moving parts of the device in normal operation.

The assembly is preferably mounted in a housing, a portion of a side wall of which is shown at 22, supported upon a suitable base 23. To prethe use ls-la vent undue wear on the interior walls of the housing, readily replaceable wear plates 24 are provided on the interior of the housing. A-feed spout 25 for abrasive is secured to the outer wall of the housing as by loose rivets 25. Spout 25 is shaped and positioned to extend into the interior of abrasive receiving cup l8 to discharge abrasive into the interior of the cup l8, the abrasive being distributed or dispersed therein by conical member ,2l.

Wall 22 is formed with an aperture 25' into which is fitted a deflector holder 21. Holder 21 is secured in position by lugs 28 (Fig. 2) secured in turn to wall 22 by stud and nut assemblies 28. With this arrangement, deflector holder 21 may be rotated relative to wall 22 and locked in any desired position. For convenience in determining the position of holder 7 21, a scale 3| with suitable indicia thereon is preferably provided on wall 22 in combination with a notch or index 3| on holder 21. Three eccentrics or cams with suitable securing means 20' are provided on wall 22 to enable-the correct positioning of holder 21 concentric of the axis of the assembly. After the holder isonce positioned or centered, eccentrics 20 are preferably welded to prevent disturbance of the adiustment.

Holder 21 is formed with an inwardly extending flange 32 defining an aperture 33 to receive a flange 35 on a ring-like deflector 34, the deflector member being secured thereto by suitable bolt and nut assemblies designated 36 in Figure 2. Deflector 341s formed with a central aperture to receive feed spout 25, the aperture being shouldered at 31 to receive a gasket 38 surroundin spout 25 andin contact with a shoulder 33 formed on the exterior of the spout 25. By reason of gasket 38 and a shim assembly 4|, which is provided between flange 21 and wall 22, leakage of abrasive from the interior of the assembly is prevented. The use of shim assembly 4| enables axial adjustment of the deflector 34 by the use of shims of different thicknesses.

Holder 21 is provided with a removable ring 21' adjacent its inner end which ring 21' flts loosely upon the holder 21 and remains in position during operation of the device, partially by reason of a guard 42, to be later explained in detail. Whereas holder 21 is a relatively expensive item in that it must be machined, ring 21' ismade of relatively cheap material, such as pipe. By the use of ring 21, which is easily replaced, the wear that would take place on the holder 21 by reason of the abrasive is taken by the ring 21', and the life of the holder 21 considerably increased.

A guard 42 is provided concentric of the axis of the unit, and is secured to flange 32 of holder 21 by suitable screw and nut assemblies 43.

Deflector 34, as shown more clearly in detail in Figs. 3 to 6, inclusive, in addition to flange 35, is formed with a hollow extending section which supports a blade-like member 45. Blade is continuous about the deflector 34, the ends 45 and 41 thereof being arranged to overlap, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, to define a space or opening 43 having substantially parallel side walls and opening tothe interior of the deflector 34 through aperture 48'. Blade 45 is developed in a helical-like formation. As shown in Figure 6, which is a development of the periphery of blade 45, with reference to the top and bottom of Figure 4, the blade is substantially straight throughout section B, section A being developed to extend end section 45 of the blade a considerable distance forward of the remainder.

It will be noted that the outer periphery of blade 45 is designed to be of generally conical shape from its innermost point in abrasive cup I! to its outermost point, the angle of the cone thus generated approximately conforming to the angle of repose of the abrasive within the cup II.

To provide a more rigid structure, axially extending flanges 43 are provided between flange 35 and the inside face of blade 45, these flanges being continued about the deflector 34 except at a section adjacent abrasive opening 48.-

Flanges 49 also function as heat dissipating means and insure the deflector 34 being kept at a relatively low temperature. Substantially radial slots or grooves 5| are formed on the inside face of blade 45 throughout the section B of Figure 6 to insure against so-called peeling of the deflector 34 in operation. If the deflector 34 exhibits any tendency to peel by reason of the contact of abrasive therewith, slots 5| will convert that tendency into cracking in a generally radial direction, which will not affect the operation of the deflector 34. If slots 5| were not provided, the peeling of the deflector 34 would continue very rapidly until the proper functioning of the deflector 34 was destroyed, when the deflector 34 would have to be replaced. Slots 5| are also of advantage in that they afford a ready means for determining when the life of a deflector 34 has ended. When the de flector 34 has worn to such an extent that the material deflningthe outer ends of the slots 5| has disappeared or worn oil, the deflector 34 must be replaced.

In the operation of the deflector 34 shown in Figure 1, abrasive is discharged through opening 48 onto the inner ends of radially extending blades l6. It has been found that when large quantities of abrasive are fed to the assembly. as in the order of 15,000 to 25,000 pounds per hour, some of the abrasive hits against the inner ends of blades l6 and rebounds against the outer surface of the deflector 34. When a deflector 34 having a relatively smooth outer surface is employed, this abrasive will bounce back into the path of the inner ends of blades 18 at points remote from discharge opening 48, with the result that such abrasive will be discharged from the wheel at points considerably distant from the intended discharge point. 7

To overcome this difliculty, a number of ribs 49 are provided with outwardly extending fins 52, preferably five in number, confined to a zone just past discharge opening 48 in the direction of movement of the blades l5, since this is the zone in which the majority of the bouncing or rebounding occurs. Fins 52 are inclined forwardly in the direction of rotation of the rotor disc to provide rear faces 53, the angles of which are conducive to an immediate return of the rebounding abrasive into the path of travel of blades l8. Fins 52 also function with flanges 43 to help dissipate the heat generated in the deflector during operation of the device.

. Abrasive receiving cup I 8 is shown in detail in Figure 7, and includes an axially extending flange 54 which terminates slightly short of a plane passing through the medial portions of blades l5, as shown in Figure 1. Flange 54 is preferably formed with a plurality of alternately arranged axially extending grooves 55 and ribs 55 to engage and insure the maintenance of a stationary layer of abrasive within the flange at all times during operation, ribs'88 being slightly angularly disposed relative to the axis of the cup. A plurality of ribs 88 are provided in the bottom of the cup l8 for strengthening purposes, and for assisting in accelerating the abrasive fed into the cup to the velocity of the cup. A plurality of smaller intermediate ribs 88' are provided for a like purpose. The upper edges of ribs 88' and ribs 88 are preferably formed with a beveled edge, as shown in Figure 7A, the larger face 81 of the rib thus formed'being positioned to face the direction of rotation of the cup.

Cup i8 is also formed with a pair of annular grooves 88 which assist in distribution of the abrasive and prevent it from prematurely discharging over the edge of the cup l8. Flange 84 terminates in an inwardly extending lip 88, which may be termed the discharge edge of the cup l8, since it is over this edge that the abrasive feeds.

Guard 42 is shown in detail in Figures 9 to 11, inclusive, and comprises a base portion 8| having apertures 82 therein to receive securing screw and nut assemblies 48 of Figures 1 and 2. An

arcuate shaped portion 83 is secured to base 8|,

with a flange 88 to define a channel 81 with base 8| which channel operates to catch the stray abrasive particles, prevent their premature discharge into the blades i8, and redirect them into the main discharge stream onto the blades from discharge opening 48.

Blade I8 is shown in Figures 12 to 15, inclusive, and includes a base 88 with a projecting abrasive propelling portion 89, the latter element being formed with a rear face ii and a front or abrasive propelling face 12.

An upstanding flange I3 is provided at the outer end of abrasive propelling surface 12 to prevent the flow of abrasive over the edge of the blade. Surface 12 is substantially uninterrupted except for a protuberant'portion or ridge 14 which begins at the inner end of the blade i8. Ridge 14 diminishes in height with respect to surface 12 toward the outer or discharge end of blade l8 where it merges into surface 12 at a point some distance removed from the d scharge end of the blade. Ridge 14 is preferably about -68% of the width of surface 12, tapering toward the receiving end of said surface, and is about -60% of the length of surface 12. Ridge 14 preferably extends at an angle of about 5 to surface 12.

Ridge 14 has been found to materially increase the life and efficiency of the assembly. Without such a ridge, the inner end of the blade i8 would soon be worn to a condition where it could no longer be used. With such a ridge [4, the abrasive is delivered onto the ridge 14 at an angle which minimizes the impact and wear on the blade l8, and is distributed over the abrasive propelling surface I2 so that it is discharged at the end of the blade l8 in a stream coextensive with surface 12 and of substantially equal density throughout.

Base 88 of blade i8 is formed as one element of a dovetail joint to enable the blade [8 to be secured to rotor disc 13. To reduce the weight of the blade l8 to a minimum, base 88 is recessed in'portions, as shown at I1, a series of strenghening ribs 18 being provided between the hollow portions. Recess 11' functions to help secure the blade i8 in-its properposition on the disc IS in a manner to be presently described.

The inner end of blade i8 ispreferablybeveled or sharpened, as at 18, to provide a minimum surface tending to bat abrasive back at the deflector 84.

Figures 16 to 18, inclusive, illustrate rotor disc i8, which is preferably cast in one piece from wear-resistant Ni-Hard metal with outwardly extending slots l5 to receive the dovetail elements of blade bases 88. While slots 15 have been shown as radial, it is to be understood that they may be formed in a direction to deviate from a radial line, and thus position the blades in nonradial lines. To provide for the locking of each blade l8 on the face of rotor disc i3, one side wall 82 of each slot I5 is cast with a non-circular aperture 83 (preferably square) to receive a similarly shaped locking pin of the type shown in Figures 20 and 21. correspondingly, the base 88 of each blade I8 is provided with a slot 84 of similar shape. In securing a blade i8 in position on the rotor, the base 88 of the blade i8, with a spring 18 of a width approximately equal to the width of the blade base 88, and of a length to flt in the recess 'Il' of the blade base 88, is slid into a slot l8 until slot 84 of the blade l8 registers with aperture 88 of the rotor. A pin i1 is then placed in the registered apertures and the blade i8 moved outwardly as far as possible. While the wheel is stationary, the blade i8 is held in position by the force of spring 18, and pin I1 is held by the pressure of a wall of notch 84 thereagainst. During rotation, the blade i8 is held in its outermost position by centrifugal force, and pin I1 is locked in its position by the centrifugal force effective upon the blade. This locking arrangement insures against movement of the blade l8 in any direction in slot l8. Pin I! is preferably formed with a neck 85 to facilitate its removal by a suitable tool, such as a screw driver.

As surfaces 82 of slots l5 and the engaging surfaces 88' of the blade base 88 are accurately made, the use of spring 18 insures correct contact between these surfaces at all times, whereby the blades [8 remain. substantially normal to the face of the rotor disc l8 under all conditions of operation. Spring 18 insures a slight clearance between the blade base 88 and the bottom of rotor slot H as shown in Figures 1 and 14.

To prevent any undesirable effect of the flying abrasive on pins l1 and on the apertures in which they are secured, each pin H with its corresponding apertures is positioned adjacent the rear faces of the blades i8 whereby it is protected from the abrasive.

To provide additional resistance to disruptive centrifugal force, or the so-called fly wheel bursting effect, rotor disc i3 is formed with an annular flange 88 on its rear face, flange 88 being spaced inwardly of the periphery of the disc i3. Such a location of flange 88 increases the mass of the disc 13 without concentration of the mass at the periphery of the disc i3, where it would be subject to the maximum centrifugal force. A second annular flange 88' is provided within flange 88 to flt against hub II. The inclined faces of flange 88 with the relatively tight fit of flange 88 prevent any undesirable action of the abrasive on hub l2.

In Figure 1, it will be noted that blades i8 extend a substantial distance beyond the periphery of the rotor disc i3. This arrangement has been found to be particularly beneficial in reducing the wear on the rotor, since the abrasive .is 'discharged at a point considerably removed fromtheperiphery of the rotor disc I 3, and the rebound of the abrasive is not as damaging to the periphery of the rotor and disc l3 as in arrange- Abrasive, preferably metered, is fed by gravity.

into spout from which it flows into abrasive receiving cup N, the abrasive being distributed therein by conical element 2|. As abrasive receiving cup l8 rotates at approximately 2250 R. P. M., the speed of shaft II, the abrasive is centrifugally distributed on the inner surface of the cup i8, and quickly brought up to the speed of rotation of the cup I8 by the ribs and grooves therein. On continued feeding of abrasive, the abrasive layer thus built up .will develop a conical inner surface, the angle of which will correspond to the angle of repose of the abrasive under the operating conditions. By reason of annular grooves 58 and flange 59 and the presence of section B of the deflector, escape of the abrasive over the discharge edge 59 will be prevented except at the desired point of discharge. I

The direction of rotation of cup I8 is such that section 46 of deflector blade 45 plows into the abrasive layer and directs a certain proportion of the abrasive toward the left, as viewed in Figure 1, and over discharge edge 59 of the cup l8. This abrasive passes through discharge opening 48 which has substantially parallel side walls, and is discharged in the direction generally shown by the arrows C of Figure 2. As above explained, discharge of the abrasive over flange 59 at any other point during operation of the device is prevented by section B of deflector blade 45, which extends about substantially the entire inner periphery of the outer edge of the cup I 8 and acts as a closure therefor to prevent the discharge of abrasive at other than the selected point. Section B of blade 45 is preferably positioned a short distance inwardly from the edge of the cup Hi, this positioning having been found to increase the efficiency of the assembly.

As shown in Figure 2, deflector blade 45 operates to effect discharge of the abrasive from the rim of the abrasive cup at approximately the 12 oclock position. The abrasive is thrown in a substantially tangential direction and assumes the form of a slightly fan-shaped continuous ribbon, which ribbon is cut by the inner ends of blades i6 as they successively pass therethrough, each blade cutting oiT and picking up a section of the ribbon on its ridge 14.

As the direction of rotation of the blades and the direction of the abrasive discharge are the same, there is a minimum impact between the inner ends of the blades and the abrasive, the latter being picked up smoothly and continuously by the blades and discharged from the outer ends in a generally downward direction. The lightness of the impact and consequently the life of the blade is increased by the angle of ridge 14 relative to the blade propelling surface.

. the deflector assembly,

If it is desired to change the direction of discharge, nuts, 29 are loosened to loosen lugs II, and holder 21 rotated to change the position of the amount 01' change being indicated by reference to indicator plate 3 I. In the structure shown, it is possible to adjust the position of discharge as much as degrees.

If it is desired to direct the discharge stream in upward or horizontal directions, the entire assembly, including the housing, and excepting the spout, is suitably rearranged. For instance, to effect discharge in an upward direction, the assembly, excepting the spout, would be inverted.

When the elements of the apparatus have become worn to an extent to require replacement, the deflector and spout assembly as well as the abrasive receiving cup can be readily removed by removing the various loose rivets, bolts, and screws employed therein. Blades readily replaced by removing locking pins ll as previously described, sliding the blades out oi the slots in the disc rotor, and reversing the procedure with new blades.

It is to be understood that the invention may be embodied in specific forms other than that illustrated without departing from the principle or essential characteristics thereof. The embodiments shown are therefore to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and drawings. All modifications and changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be included therein.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for delivering abrasive at an abrading velocity comprising a rotor havinga plurality of blades extending. outwardly with respect to the axis of rotation of said rotor; means to deliver abrasive near said axis of rotation; and a transfer mechanism interposed between said abrasive delivery means and said blades including a cup rotatable with said rotor with the edge of its open end lying substantially in a plane normal to said axis and between the ends of the inner edges of said blades, means to deliver abrasive from said cup into the path of rotation of said blades including a helical blade disposed about said axis and extending from a point within said cup to a point adjacent said cup edge, and means to prevent a substantial discharge of abrasive from said cup except at said latter point, said means comprising a blade having a portion overlapping said helical blade in a direction to define a discharge opening for said abrasive having substantially parallel side walls.

2. The combination claimed in claim 1 wherein said last-mentioned means is positioned slightly inside of said cup edge.

3. An impeller blade for use in a centrifugal abrading machine including a rotor and means to deliver abrasive adjacent the axis of said rotor, comprising an element having a propelling SUI? face arranged to receive and impart an abrading velocity to the abrasive, said surface being formed with a substantially central protuberant portion having a substantially flat face equal in width to approximately 35% to 60% of the width of said surface.

4. The blade of claim 3 wherein said protuberant portion is tapered in width and is narrowest adjacent the abrasive receiving end of said blade.

5. An impeller blade for use in a centrifugal abrading machine including a rotor and means to deliver abrasive adjacent the axis of said rotor,

l8 can be comprising an element having a propelling surface arranged to receive and impart an abrading velocity to the abrasive, said surface being formed with a substantially central ridge having a substantially flat face, said ridge beginning at the abrasive receiving end of said blade and merging with the remainder of said surface at a point intermediate the discharge and abrasive receiving ends of said blade.

6. The blade of claim wherein said ridge extends from the abrasive receiving end of said rib for a distance approximately equal to 50-60% of the length of said surface.

'I. The impeller blade of claim 5 wherein the flat face of said ridge lies in a plane at an angle of approximately 5 to the plane of said propelling surface.

8. A transfer mechanism for use with a centrifugal abrading rotor comprising means to receive and deliver abrasive from said mechanism including a holder, said holder having a shoulder thereon spaced from one end of the holder, and a readily replaceable wear ring of relatively cheap material about said holder to take the wear from abrasive and protect said holder, said shoulder serving to retain the wear ring against displacement in one direction, and a replaceable wear part removably attached to said end of the holder and being of larger diameter than the holder to retain the wear ring against displacement in the opposite direction.

9. In an abrading apparatus, a housing wall having an aperture, abrasive feeding means in said apertureincluding a deflector, a deflector holder, and means to center said holder in said aperture comprising three cam elements on said wall spaced about said aperture in position to engage and support said holder, and means to lock said cams in position.

10. A deflector for use in a centrifugal abrasive throwing machine comprising a substantially ring-shaped base member, a radially extending flange on the outer periphery of said base member positioned in a plane substantially normal to the axis of said base member, and a second radially extending flange on theouter periphery of said base member having a generally helical formation relative to the axis of said base member.

11. A deflector for use in a centrifugal abrasive throwing machine comprising a substan; tially ring-shaped base member, a radially extending flange on the outer periphery of said base member positioned in a plane substantially normal to the axis of said base member, and a second radially extending flange on the outer periphery of said base member having a generally helical formation relative to the axis of said base member, said second flange being positioned to intersect said first flange at one end of the latter, the. opposite end of said first flange terminating at a point spaced from said point of intersection to provide an open space on the periphery of said base member.

12. The deflector claimed in claim 11 wherein a portion of said first flange adjacent said opposite end is positioned in a plane substantially parallel to the facing portion of said second flange.

13. A deflector for use in a centrifugal abrasive throwing machine comprising a substantially ring-shaped base member, a radially extending flange on the outer periphery of said base member having a portion positioned in a plane substantially normal to the axis of said base member and a portion having a generally helical formation relative to the axis of said base member, the surface of one side of said flange being formed with a plurality of radially extending grooves.

14. A deflector for use in a centrifugal abrasive throwing machine comprising a substantially ring-shaped base member, a radially extending flange on the outer periphery of said base member adjacent one end thereof and having a portion positioned in a plane substantially normal to the axis of said base member and a portion having a generally helical formation relative to the axis of said base member, a second radially extending flange on the outer periphery of said base member adjacent the opposite end thereof and positioned in a plane substantially normal to the axis of said base member, and a plurality of ribs connecting the opposing faces of said flanges.

15. The combination claimed in claim 14 wherein said ribs are secured to said base member.

16. The combination claimed in claim 14 wherein certain of said ribs are extended beyond the peripheries of said flanges to provide a series of substantially tangentially projecting deflectors.

17. A deflector for use in a centrifugal abrasive throwing machine comprising a substantially ring-shaped base member, a radially extending flange on the outer periphery of said base member, a second radially extending flange on the outer periphery of said base member having a generally helical formation relative to the axis of said base member, and means on one of said flanges to indicate when said deflector has worn to an extent to require its replacement,

18. A deflector according to claim 13 in which the side of the flange which is formed with said grooves is that side of the flange which faces -away from said generally helical formation.

ALTER L. KEEFEH. 

